Crusell concert

A concert in memory of Bernhard Henrik Crusell.

Östgöta Blåsarsymfoniker annually presents a Crusell concert in S:t Lars Church in Linköping to preserve the important cultural heritage of Bernhard Henrik Crusell.

From the Royal Chapel to Linköping: Crusell’s summer concerts
The first concert took place in S:t Lars Church as early as 1823. Bernhard Henrik Crusell was active during the 19th century and worked as a clarinetist in the Royal Chapel in Stockholm, but he also toured Europe as a soloist and established composer. In 1818, he came to Linköping to lead the military music for several summers and then returned every year throughout his professional life. Crusell’s international contacts and ability to both adapt and perform the important works of the time allowed new music to reach Linköping very quickly.

The Crusell concert was initiated to raise funds for the musicians’ pensions or actually for the musicians’ widows and children. The concerts became a success, and the audience flocked in thousands—a large part of the population at the time.

In connection with the concert, the Friends Association collects voluntary contributions for the annual youth scholarship.